Plant 30-40 cm, stem glaucous green, violet-tinged, pubescent above. Leaves 2-5, oblong or lanceolate, brown-striped. Flowers solitary (in cultivation sometimes with 2-5 flowers), 2-7 cm, cup-shaped opening almost flat. One of the most polychromatic species, flowers can be white, yellow or red. Often dichromatic, exterior segments carmine with light cream margin, interior cream or yellow. Filaments yellow, spirally twisting by the end of flowering. V - early spring to beginning of summer. Fl - March-April (in St. Petersburg May). Fr - June. P - by daughter bulbs and seed. A well-known species, source of many cultivars. Z 4 (3). Good for group planting and the rock garden.

Central Asia (western Tien Shan). In low and middle mountain zones among grasses and shrubs, on stony slopes, in sandy places, frequently on clay slopes.

T. dubia Vved. (subgenus Tulipa) is closely related to this species.

Plant smaller, 10-15 cm, leaves 2, flowers solitary, cream inside and reddish violet outside. Recommended for the rock garden and group planting, for spring decoration. Z 4. New.